Summer has arrived! That means time for all the backyard barbeque sides. Pesto pasta salad is a must for any summer gathering. Every bite is vibrant, mouthwatering, and has a good crunch. Whether you are looking for a side to add to your grilled burgers or were asked to bring a dish to an outdoor event, you’re in the right place.
My version is gluten-free and vegetarian.
This refreshing dish has gained popularity for its irresistible combination of flavors and its versatility in catering to various tastes and dietary preferences.
Not to mention it’s crazy easy to throw together and a fantastic dish to meal prep ahead of time!
Tips for Making the Best Pesto Pasta Salad
- SALT YOUR PASTA WATER. This is the most important. If you don’t salt your pasta water, forget about eating a delicious pasta salad. (slightly kidding, but also not.) You need at least a tablespoon in your water. This is the only opportunity to give the pasta noodles any flavor. Essential.
- If you can, use homemade pesto. It will definitely make your pasta salad superior. But if you cannot, use a high-quality store-bought pesto. Often, the pesto in the refrigerated section is fresher and better tasting than others. New York Times has a great Basic Pesto recipe.
- Chill and Marinate: For maximum flavor infusion, allow your pesto pasta salad to chill and marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This will give the flavors time to meld together, resulting in a more delicious and cohesive dish.
- If you are making it ahead of time, before serving add more pesto or some olive oil to keep it from drying out!
Ingredients & Substitutions
pasta noodles- I love the Fusili style in this recipe, but feel free to play around with different shapes and sizes! If you are gluten-free, be sure the pasta is gluten-free. The best tasting and texture gluten-free pasta is always brown rice pasta in my opinion. I love Jovial’s brown rice pasta.
fine grain sea salt & pepper- Salt is so important in this recipe. Don’t skimp on it!! Also, taste and adjust to your preferences. Everyone’s pasta tastes a little different, so trust your instincts and season with your heart. 😉
cherry tomatoes– The tomatoes give this a nice crunch and pair perfectly with pesto. You could also swap for olives or chopped cucumbers.
red onion– Gives this a nice punch and great flavor. If you don’t like red onions, you could also do finely diced yellow onions or even green onions! Be sure to taste and adjust to your liking.
green bell pepper– For a fresh, crunchy bite and some color. You can use any colored bell pepper you like.
parmesan Cheese- Freshly grated is always best, but you can also use store-bought shredded. Also, if you can get your hands on Pecorino Romano, that works wonderfully as well. (I actually prefer it to Parmesan).
fresh Basil- This is especially necessary if you are using a store-bought pesto to give a really bright fresh flavor to the dish.
pesto- Homemade is best, but a high-quality store-bought pesto works as well, which is what I used. The refrigerated pesto usually tastes better than the one on the shelves at the store.
lemon juice– Always use freshly squeezed. This adds brightness and acidity to the dish. It also brings out all the flavors.
What to serve pasta salad with
- Grilled Meats: Pasta salad makes a fantastic side dish to accompany grilled meats such as chicken, beef, pork, or even grilled seafood like shrimp or salmon. The freshness and lightness of the salad provide a perfect balance to the heartiness of the grilled protein.
- Barbecue or Picnic Spread: If you’re hosting a barbecue or picnic, pasta salad fits right in. Serve it alongside other classic barbecue fare like burgers, hot dogs, grilled vegetables, and corn on the cob. It adds a refreshing element to the meal and complements the smoky flavors. Try it with my :
- Juicy Turkey Burgers,
- Spicy Chicken Burgers
- Bison Burger
- Classic Beef Burger
- Quinoa Crusted Chicken
- Sandwiches and Wraps: Pasta salad can be a great accompaniment to sandwiches and wraps. Whether it’s a classic deli sandwich, a grilled panini, or a refreshing wrap, the pasta salad adds a nice contrast in textures and flavors. It can also be used as a filling in a sandwich or wrap for an extra burst of flavor.
If you want another really great fresh summer dish, try my healthy paleo chicken salad recipe.
Let’s whip up this beautiful summer pesto pasta salad!!
Please leave a review below if you make this recipe!
Easy Pesto Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups dry gluten-free fusilli pasta see post above for favorite brand
- 1 tablespoon sea salt for the pasta water only
- 2 cups (1 pint) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup pesto store-bought or homemade preferably!
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups(loosely packed in a measuring cup) fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lemon squeezed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box, along with 1 TABLESPOON (yes, tablespoon) of sea salt. If there are "al-dente" directions, cook until that time! Drain, and set aside to allow to cool. You can use a drizzle of olive oil to prevent the pasta from sticking together too much.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients (the cooked and cooled pasta, tomatoes, green pepper, red onion, grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, salt and pepper, fresh lemon juice) together until the pasta is fully coated with all the ingredients. Taste (most important) and add more salt/pepper/pesto to your liking!! ENJOY!!
